May 1, 2021
If you like Essential Quality as your bet to win the Kentucky Derby, I’m sorry. The prospective payout is small and likely to get smaller.
The unbeaten two-year-old champion was established as the 2–1 favorite in the morning line by Churchill Downs oddsmaker Mike Battaglia, lower than many expected. “I thought he might be 3–1,” said Essential Quality trainer Brad Cox, “but I’m not betting, so. …”
“Mattress Mack”
is betting, and his promised wager will further diminish the price on Essential Quality if the gray colt wins the Run for the Roses. Jim McIngvale, owner of the national Gallery Furniture chain, told me he wired $4 million to Churchill on Wednesday in preparation for betting on the Derby favorite in a promotion tied to his chain’s mattress sales. “I may bet $2 million, I may bet $4 million,” he said, aiming for a total that would cover his guarantee to reimburse every Gallery Furniture customer who buys a mattress worth $3,000 or
Churchill: 17 Oaks, Derby Hopefuls Log Final Breezes Sponsored by:
Known Agenda breezes inside Sainthood at Churchill Downs on Friday, April 23
On a cool Kentucky morning, a total of 17 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks horses put in their final timed workouts before next weekend s editions of the $3 million Derby and $1.25 million Oaks.
The fastest move of the morning was a half-mile drill in :46.20 by Keepmeinmind, with Dynamic One, one of four Derby workers for Todd Pletcher, having the second-fastest clocking of the 108 at the distance in :47.80.
Other Derby workers for Pletcher were Bourbonic (half-mile in :49.60) and Known Agenda and Sainthood (five furlongs together in 1:01.
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Travel Column (Frosted) wins the Golden Rod at Churchill Downs on 11.28.2020. Florent Geroux up, Brad Cox trainer, Oxo Equine owner.
In horse racing, it s never too early to look ahead. Trainer Brad Cox started doing just that shortly after Travel Column s eye-catching Nov. 28 win in the Golden Road (G2) at Churchill Downs.
The path to the April 30 Kentucky Oaks begins in earnest Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, when Travel Column starts as what figures to be a strong favorite in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton. Run at 1 1/16 miles, the Rachel Alexandra offers 85 qualifying points for the Oaks, with the winner getting 50 on a 50-20-10-5 scale.